New ‘Best Dog Friendly Tourism Business’ Category for 2017

One of the aims of the Swansea Bay Tourism Awards is to encourage and inspire the industry to consider new ideas, and with many tourism businesses openly accepting man’s best friend we have a new awards category this year..! Best Dog Friendly Tourism Business.

If you welcome well-behaved dogs and their human companions in your business, then this category is for you – if you don’t, well… be prepared to be inspired by the increasing trend of dogs on holiday and how other tourism business have attempted to manage and capture this increasing market.

Best Dog Friendly Tourism Business…

This category is open to any… type of accommodation provider (see Places to Stay) – attraction – places to eat & drink such as – cafes, tea rooms, restaurants, bistros, pubs or bars – that offer an exceptional welcome to dogs and their human companions.

The 2016 statistics from the Pet Food Manufactures Association (PFMA), indicates that 24% of UK households own a dog – that is over 6million households – and with many dog owners not wanting to leave man’s best friend in kennels or find a dog sitter at home – it therefore means embracing ‘dogs’ in your business makes good business sense.

What are we looking for..? Same as other categories… ingenuity, customer care and a warm welcome..! Pointers… your initial contact with customers – do you openly welcome dogs in your marketing & promotion..? What do you offer the dog owner..? What do you offer the dog..? If you are an accommodation provider – do you offer welcome packs..? What’s in them..? Eateries – do you offer water..? Do you sell a ‘doggie snack’..? Have a safe place for dog & owner to sit inside..? As it’s a new category just few ideas to get you started…

Good luck..! Woof woof..!

Who can enter ?

Any tourism, leisure & hospitality business in City & County of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council local authority areas: Swansea, Mumbles, Gower, Swansea Valley, Neath Port Talbot and up to Abercrave.

This year’s Awards are organised in partnership between Swansea Council and Tourism Swansea Bay. Closing date for entries is 8th Sept. Finalists will be notified by 06th Oct. Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 09th Nov at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea.